Track rail for monorail systems



y 1934- E. T. BENNINGTON El AL 1,956,976

TRACK RAIL FOR MONORAIL SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l attorneys Isnwntors y 1934- E. 'r. BENNI'NGTON ET AL 1, 6

TRACK RAIL FOR MONORAIL SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 o 6 o o o o o o o o o o o o o g o o' o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 0 o o o o o o qfp OOOOOOO Bnventors Patented May 1, 1954 UNITED STATES TRACK RAIL FOR MONORAIL SYSTEMS Earl T. Bennington, Huntsburg, and John H. Weisner, University Heights, Ohio Application February 3, 1933, Serial No. 655,071

9 Glaims.

This invention relates to track rails which are particularly adapted for use with overhead carrier systems of the monorail type. Bails of this character are preferably rolled in one piece and shaped to provide a pair of oppositely disposed base flanges which provide tread surfaces adapted to receive the carrier wheels thereon. These flanges frequently become bent as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels which causes a gradual displacement of the metal of the flanges adjacent the surface thereof. This flowing or displacement of the metal sets up stresses in the metal of the flanges which frequently causes the flanges to bend downwardly until they become so distorted that it is necessary to replace the rail.

This peening action also freq iently causes the rails to elongate and consequently arch between supports.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a rail which will overcome the difficulties hereinbefore mentioned and which is well adapted for production at a low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail of the character described which will permit flow or displacement of the metal caused by the peening action of the carrier wheels without setting up undue bending stresses in the body of the flange.

A further object of the invention is to provide a monorail of the character described in which the tread surface is provided with a plurality of indentations, grooves or depressions so disposed and arranged as to permit the flow of metal both toward and away from the outer edges of the flanges whereby to effectively prevent bending of the flanges and to enable a smaller size rail to be used for a given maximum load.

The rail herein described is an improvement over the rail disclosed in Patent No. 1,550,142 issued August 18, 1e25, in that it has a much larger tread surface which more evenly distributes the load reduces the wear on both the carrier wheels and the tread surfaces. Moreover, with our improved rail, a much freer flow of metal of the tread surfaces is obtained which materially reduces the tendency of the rail to bend downwardly which makes it possible to use a smaller rail for a given load. Another feature of our improved rail is the fact that the tread surfaces are disposed in a plane no higher than the body of the flanges. In other words the tread surfaces are no higher than the adjacent or contiguous portions of the flanges whereby the bending stresses set up in the flanges are reduced.

Further and more limited objects of the invention will appear as the descri tion proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be utilized.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a view partly in vertical section and partly in front elevation disclosing my improved rail together with the carrier wheels supported thereon; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the rail shown in Fig. 1; Fig.

3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Y Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of a modifled form of rail having a plurality of indentations which are spread over the entire tread surfaces of the flanges; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 6; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 disclosing another modified form of rail having a plurality of parallel grooves in each flange.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference character 1 designates a one-piece rolled rail.

which is substantially T-shaped in cross section and provided with a head portion 2, a web portion 3 and oppositely disposed flanges 4 and 5. The upper surface of each of the flangesprovides a substantially flat tread surface which is preferably disposed in a plane no higher than the adjacent portions of the flanges. The tread surface of each flange is provided with a plurality of spaced grooves 6 which are parallel with each other and extend longitudinally of the flanges. These grooves 6 arranged as described provide spaces into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action caused by the movement of the carrier wheels over the rails. These grooves also permit flow of metal thereinto toward and away from the outer edges of the flanges with the result that no undue stress is set up in the flanges which would cause the flanges to bend downwardly. These grooves permit a gradual displacement of the metal both inwardly and outwardly of the tread surfaces and prevent disturbance of the metal in the body of the flange with the result that the life of a rail of a given size and weight will be greatly prolonged. Itwill also be seen that with a rail constructed as described we are able to obtain a maximum tread surface for the carrier wheels.

The reference character '7 designates a U- shaped frame or carrier in which are mounted carrier wheels 8 and 9 which engage the flanges, as shown most clearly in Fig. l. The rail is pivotally supported by means of a plurality of clamps, one of which is shown at 10 in Fig. l. The clamps 10 are secured to the head portion of the rail and are pivotally supported on a support 11 so that the rail may swing about the support in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

In Figs. 3 and 4 we have disclosed a slightly modified form of rail which is indicated by the reference character 12 and provided with oppositely disposed flanges 13 and 14. Instead of the grooves 6, we provide in the tread surface of each of the flanges a plurality of indentations or depressions 15 which are spread over the entire tread surface. These indentations may be formed in any suitable manner as by punching or drilling. In either case, however, it is necessary to grind the tread surface in order to render it smooth. The indentations or depressions 15 serve the same purpose and have the same function as the groove 6 in that they provide spaces into which the metal may flow as a result of the peening action caused by the movement of the carrier wheels over the rail. In other respects this form of the invention is identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we have disclosed another modified form of rail which is indicated by the reference character 16 and is provided with oppositely disposed flanges 17 and 18. Each of the flanges 17 and 18 is provided in the upper surface thereof with a plurality of parallel grooves or depressions 19 which are disposed at an angle to the opposite edges of the rail and in overlapping relation, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. It will be seen that these grooves extend across the entire tread surfaces of the flanges and provide spaces into which the metal may flow as a result of the peening action caused by the movement of the carrier wheels over the tread surfaces. These grooves or depressions 19 may be formed by means of a scoring machine or in any suitable manner. These grooves 19 perform the same function as the grooves 6 or the indentations 15 described in connection with the forms of the invention hereinbefore described. In other respects this form of the invention is identical with that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

It will now be clear that we have provided a rail of the character described which will accomplish the objects of the invention as hereinbefore stated.

By reason of the arrangement of the indentations, grooves or depressions, as herein described, we are able to obtain a relatively large tread surface which will cause the load to be more evenly distributed and result in less wear upon the carrier wheels and tread surface which will obviously prolong the life of both the rail and the carrier wheels.

Various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of the grooves or depressions without departing from the spirit of our invention and it is to be understood that our invention is limited only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels.

2. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, all of said indentations being below the tread surfaces of said flanges.

3. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, said tread surfaces being flat and disposed in a plane no higher than the adjacent portions of the flanges.

4. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, the bottom faces of said flanges tapering downwardly away from the outer edges thereof.

5. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, said indentations being in the form of grooves disposed at an angle to said tread surface.

6. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, said indentations extending over substantially the entire tread surfaces.

7. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange at each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, each tread surface having a plurality of indentations therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels, said indentations being in the form of circular depressions spread over substantially the entire tread surface.

8. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange in each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a tread surface adapted to receive carrier Wheels thereon, the tread surface of each flange having a plurality of grooves therein into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier wheels.

9. A one-piece rolled rail for monorail systems having a web portion and a flange in each side thereof, the upper surface of each flange providing a. tread surface adapted to receive carrier wheels thereon, the tread surface of each flange having a plurality of parallel grooves therein extending across the tread surfaces into which metal may flow as a result of the peening action of the carrier Wheels.

EARL T. BENNINGTON. JOHN H. WEISNER. 

